Bottom Line:
From qualitative and quantitative perspectives, the present 3D data provide a considerable insight into the spatial vascular network for whole rodent brain, particularly for functionally important regions of interest, such as the hippocampus, pre-frontal cerebral cortex and the corpus striatum.We extended these results to synchrotron-based virtual micro-endoscopy, thus revealing the trajectory of targeted vessels in 3D.The SR-PCI method for systematic visualization of cerebral microvasculature holds considerable promise for wider application in life sciences, including 3D micro-imaging in experimental models of neurodevelopmental and vascular disorders.

ABSTRACTThe angioarchitecture is a fundamental aspect of brain development and physiology. However, available imaging tools are unsuited for non-destructive cerebral mapping of the functionally important three-dimensional (3D) vascular microstructures. To address this issue, we developed an ultra-high resolution 3D digitalized angioarchitectural map for rat brain, based on synchrotron radiation phase contrast imaging (SR-PCI) with pixel size of 5.92 μm. This approach provides a systematic and detailed view of the cerebrovascular anatomy at the micrometer level without any need for contrast agents. From qualitative and quantitative perspectives, the present 3D data provide a considerable insight into the spatial vascular network for whole rodent brain, particularly for functionally important regions of interest, such as the hippocampus, pre-frontal cerebral cortex and the corpus striatum. We extended these results to synchrotron-based virtual micro-endoscopy, thus revealing the trajectory of targeted vessels in 3D. The SR-PCI method for systematic visualization of cerebral microvasculature holds considerable promise for wider application in life sciences, including 3D micro-imaging in experimental models of neurodevelopmental and vascular disorders.

Mentions:
Subsequently, we acquired a series of vascular maps extending from the frontal pole to the upper midbrain, which were separately reconstructed in 3D using a stack of 100 coronal slices (to a total thickness of 592 μm) (Fig. 4). In addition, the overviews of the whole-brain maps in the 3D-reconstructed horizontal planes were rendered. Thus, we could observe the 3D micro-morphology predominating in the brain areas, which allowed for detailed analysis. An innovation arising from our study consists of the extraction of multi-angle views of angio-architectural networks of anatomically distinct functional brain regions, with emphasis placed on the hippocampus, pre-frontal lobe cortex and corpus striatum (Figs 5 and 6). Subtle details of the 3D distribution of the blood supply in these structures emerged from our analysis. Compared with corpus striatum, the vessel organization in hippocampus was arranged in a relatively regular pattern (Fig. 5). The larger vessels were mainly located around the peripheral area of the hippocampus, thus forming a shell-like 3D shape, while smaller vessels were distributed mainly within the inner domain. Significantly, vessels in the pre-frontal lobe cortex and corpus striatum were arranged in a more convoluted manner than in the hippocampus (Fig. 6).

Mentions:
Subsequently, we acquired a series of vascular maps extending from the frontal pole to the upper midbrain, which were separately reconstructed in 3D using a stack of 100 coronal slices (to a total thickness of 592 μm) (Fig. 4). In addition, the overviews of the whole-brain maps in the 3D-reconstructed horizontal planes were rendered. Thus, we could observe the 3D micro-morphology predominating in the brain areas, which allowed for detailed analysis. An innovation arising from our study consists of the extraction of multi-angle views of angio-architectural networks of anatomically distinct functional brain regions, with emphasis placed on the hippocampus, pre-frontal lobe cortex and corpus striatum (Figs 5 and 6). Subtle details of the 3D distribution of the blood supply in these structures emerged from our analysis. Compared with corpus striatum, the vessel organization in hippocampus was arranged in a relatively regular pattern (Fig. 5). The larger vessels were mainly located around the peripheral area of the hippocampus, thus forming a shell-like 3D shape, while smaller vessels were distributed mainly within the inner domain. Significantly, vessels in the pre-frontal lobe cortex and corpus striatum were arranged in a more convoluted manner than in the hippocampus (Fig. 6).

Bottom Line:
From qualitative and quantitative perspectives, the present 3D data provide a considerable insight into the spatial vascular network for whole rodent brain, particularly for functionally important regions of interest, such as the hippocampus, pre-frontal cerebral cortex and the corpus striatum.We extended these results to synchrotron-based virtual micro-endoscopy, thus revealing the trajectory of targeted vessels in 3D.The SR-PCI method for systematic visualization of cerebral microvasculature holds considerable promise for wider application in life sciences, including 3D micro-imaging in experimental models of neurodevelopmental and vascular disorders.

ABSTRACTThe angioarchitecture is a fundamental aspect of brain development and physiology. However, available imaging tools are unsuited for non-destructive cerebral mapping of the functionally important three-dimensional (3D) vascular microstructures. To address this issue, we developed an ultra-high resolution 3D digitalized angioarchitectural map for rat brain, based on synchrotron radiation phase contrast imaging (SR-PCI) with pixel size of 5.92 μm. This approach provides a systematic and detailed view of the cerebrovascular anatomy at the micrometer level without any need for contrast agents. From qualitative and quantitative perspectives, the present 3D data provide a considerable insight into the spatial vascular network for whole rodent brain, particularly for functionally important regions of interest, such as the hippocampus, pre-frontal cerebral cortex and the corpus striatum. We extended these results to synchrotron-based virtual micro-endoscopy, thus revealing the trajectory of targeted vessels in 3D. The SR-PCI method for systematic visualization of cerebral microvasculature holds considerable promise for wider application in life sciences, including 3D micro-imaging in experimental models of neurodevelopmental and vascular disorders.